Active seating

ABSTRACT

Stackable stools include rocking surfaces along which the stools can be rocked to allow a user to sway to and fro. The stools have rest surfaces that provide stable inclined positions of the stools. The stools can be stacked together to save space. The stools define holes allowing the stools to be stacked on a pole.

BACKGROUND

Active seating allows a user freedom of movement while remaining seated.For example, a user may be able to pivot, rotate, or otherwise move theseat while sitting in the seat. Other seating includes pedals or otherstructures that can be moved by the user while the user remains seated.Such active seating can be cumbersome to move and/or store. Improvementsare desired.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, a stool includes aseat member; a first support member; and a second support member. Eachsupport member defines a downwardly-facing surface having aconvexly-curved rocking surface. In certain examples, the supportmembers also define rest surfaces.

In certain implementations, each support member defines a rest surfaceat each side of the rocking surface. Each rest surface inhibits movementof the stool beyond the rest surface.

In certain implementations, multiple stools can be stacked together.Each stool has a closed top and an open bottom. The top of the stool hasa smaller cross-dimension than the bottom. Each stool is sufficientlyhollow to allow a first of the stools to be stacked over a second of thestools so that the top of the second stool extends into the hollowinterior of the first stool through the open bottom of the first stool.In certain implementations, each of the stools defining a rockingsurface at the respective open bottom.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and to combinations of features. It is to be understood thatboth the forgoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosedherein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example stool configured inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the stool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the stool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the stool of FIG. 1 showing a rocking pathalong which the stool can move;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the stool of FIG. 1 showing the stool in afirst inclined position along the rocking path;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the stool of FIG. 1 showing the stool in asecond inclined position along the rocking path;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the stool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the stool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the stool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an end view of a stack of stools of the same type as thestool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the stack of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the stool of FIG. 1 with feet mounted at thebottom surface of the support member; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example foot of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to active seating. Forconvenience, the term “stool” is used herein to refer to various typesof seating (e.g., backless seating, seating with back rests, seatingwith arms rests, etc.) and is not intended to be limiting. For example,a “stool” as used herein may optionally include a back rest and/or armsrest unless otherwise specified for a particular embodiment.

In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, a stool includes arocking surface allowing a user to sway from side to side while seatedon the stool. It is noted that the term “side to side” can refer to auser's right and left, to the user's front and rear, or to otheropposite directions relative to the user depending on the orientation ofthe user on the stool.

In accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure, the stool isstackable with other stools of the same type. In certain examples, thestools are stackable on a pole extending along an axis. In certainexamples, the stools are stackable in any orientation along the axis.

Referring to the figures in general, a stool 100 includes a seat member105, a first support member 110 extending downwardly from the seatmember 105, and a second support member 120 extending downwardly fromthe seat member 105. The seat member 105 is shaped and sized to supporta seated user. In some examples, the seat 105 is planar. In otherexamples, the seat 105 is contoured for comfort. In the example shown,the seat 105 is round. In other examples, the seat 105 can be square,rectangular, oblong, or any other desired shape.

The stool 100 defines a longitudinal axis AL extending between a top 101and a bottom 102 of the stool 100. The stool 100 has an open bottom 102leading to a generally hollow interior. In some examples, the seatmember 105 defines the top 101 of the stool 100. In such examples, thestool 100 has a generally closed top and the open bottom 102. As theterm is used herein, the seat member 105 is “generally closed” if theseat member 105 defines a hole 150 sized to receive a pole P (FIG. 11),defines perforations, or otherwise defines one or more openings as longas the seat member 105 is sufficiently closed to support a seated user.In other examples, the stool 100 can include a back rest or otherstructure that extends upwardly beyond the seat member 105 to define thetop 101 of the stool 100.

The support members 110, 120 extend from opposite ends of the seatmember 105 so that the support members 110, 120 face each other. Eachsupport member 110, 120 defines a bottom surface 130 that allows forrocking movement of the stool 100. In some implementations, the bottomsurface 130 includes a rocking surface 131 having a convex curvature.The stool 100, when resting on a floor F, can rock along the rockingsurface 131, thereby causing the seat member 105 to sway (see FIGS.4-6).

In certain implementations, the stool 100 rocks along a path R (FIG. 4)between a first inclined position in which the longitudinal axis AL inoriented at an angle θ1 relative to the floor F (see FIG. 5) and asecond inclined position in which the longitudinal axis AL in orientedat an angle θ2 relative to the floor F, where angle θ2 is larger thanangle θ1 (see FIG. 6). In certain examples, the rocking surface 131 hasa sufficiently gradual slope that the stool 100 can be balanced on therocking surface 131 at a normal position so that the longitudinal axisAL is at least substantially perpendicular to the floor F (see FIG. 4).

In some implementations, the bottom surface 130 of the stool 100 alsoincludes at least one rest surface 134, 136. The rest surface 134, 136inhibits continued movement of the stool 100 in one direction. Forexample, the rest surface 134, 136 may touch the floor F while a portionof the rocking surface 131 remains connected to the floor F at a pointalong the path R. The rest surface 134, 136 cooperates with the rockingsurface 131 to provide a stable position (e.g., the first inclinedposition and the second inclined position) at which the stool 100 mayrest.

In certain implementations, the bottom surface 130 includes a first restsurface 134 extending outwardly from a first end 132 of the rockingsurface 131 and a second rest surface 136 extending outwardly from asecond end 133 of the rocking surface 131. In the example shown, therest surfaces 134, 136 define planar surfaces that are parallel with thefloor F when the stool 100 is disposed in the normal position (see FIG.4). In other examples, the rest surfaces 134, 136 are shaped to contactthe floor F as the stool 100 moves through certain points along the pathR and to not contact the floor F as the stool 100 moves through otherpoints along the path R.

In certain implementations, the first rest surface 134 and the secondrest surface 136 are disposed above the floor F by a gap G1, G2,respectively, when the stool 100 is disposed in the normal position(FIG. 4). Moving the stool 100 in a first direction along the rockingpath R to the first inclined position (FIG. 5) brings the first restsurface 134 into engagement with the floor F and increases the gap G2between the second rest surface 136 and the floor F. The first restsurface 134 inhibits further movement of the stool 100 along the rockingpath R in the first direction. Moving the stool 100 in an oppositesecond direction along the rocking path R to the second inclinedposition (FIG. 6) brings the second rest surface 136 into engagementwith the floor F and increases the gap G1 between the first rest surface134 and the floor F. The second rest surface 136 inhibits furthermovement of the stool 100 along the rocking path R in the seconddirection.

In some examples, each gap G1, G2 is no more than one inch large whenthe stool is disposed in the normal position. In certain examples, eachgap G1, G2 is no more than three-quarters of an inch large when thestool is disposed in the normal position. In certain examples, each gapG1, G2 is no more than two-thirds of an inch large when the stool isdisposed in the normal position. In certain examples, each gap G1, G2 isno more than half an inch large when the stool is disposed in the normalposition. In certain examples, each gap G1, G2 is at least than aquarter-of-an-inch large when the stool is disposed in the normalposition. In certain examples, each gap G1, G2 is at least a third of aninch large when the stool is disposed in the normal position. In certainexamples, each gap G1, G2 is about half an inch large when the stool isdisposed in the normal position.

In some implementations, the rocking surface 131 defines about a thirdof a length L (FIG. 3) of the bottom surface 130. In certain example,the rocking surface 131 defines greater than a third of the length L ofthe bottom surface 130. In certain example, the rocking surface 131defines no more than half of the length L of the bottom surface 130.

In certain implementations, feet or other gripping structures can beprovided on the rest surfaces 134, 136. For example, rubber or othertacky materials can be disposed at the rest surfaces 134, 136 to aid auser in maintaining the stool 100 in one of the inclined positions. Thefeet or other gripping structures also can be formed of a dampingmaterial (e.g., rubber) that reduces the noise of the rest surfaces 134,136 contacting the floor F.

In some implementations, the support members 110, 120 are connected by arib 145. In certain examples, a first rib 145 connects the supportmembers 110, 120 at a first side of the stool 100 and a second rib 145connects the support members 110, 120 at a second side of the stool 100.In certain examples, each rib 145 is sufficient strong to support thefeet of a user while the user sits on the seat member 105.

In certain implementations, an annular ring 142 extends downwardly fromthe seat member 105. The annular ring 142 forms part of each supportmember 110, 120 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). An aperture 144 is defined betweeneach rib 145, a corresponding portion of the annular ring 142, the firstsupport member 110, and the second support member 120. The annular ring142 and aperture 144 are sufficiently large to enable a user to grab thestool 110 by the annular ring 142 (e.g., by grasping a bottom edge ofthe annular ring 142).

In certain implementations, structural ribs 108 are disposed beneath theseat member 105 to enhance the strength of the seat member 105 and/or toenhance the connection between the seat member 105 and the supportmembers 110, 120. In certain examples, the stool 100 is monolithicallyformed (e.g., via injection molding).

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the support members 110, 120 extend radiallyoutwardly from the seat member 105 as the support members 110, 120extend downwardly from the seat member 105. For example, the stool 100has a first cross-dimension (e.g., diameter) CD1 at the seat member 105and the stool 100 has a second cross-dimension CD2 at the bottom of thesupport members 110, 120. The second cross-dimension CD2 is larger thanthe first cross-dimension CD1. In some examples, each support member110, 120 has a concavely-curved exterior surface 111, 121, respectively,(see FIG. 7) that extends between the seat member 105 and the respectivebottom surface 130. In other examples, each support member 110, 120 hasan inclined exterior surface 111, 121.

In certain implementations, the support members 110, 120 also defines acircumferential curvature about the longitudinal axis AL (see FIGS. 8and 9). In certain examples, the tops of the support members 110, 120extend along part of the periphery of the seat member 105. In certainexamples, the bottom surface 130 of each support member 110, 120 alsocurve along the longitudinal axis AL.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, multiple stools 100 can be stackedtogether. For example, in FIG. 10, a first stool 100A is shown stackedover a second stool 100B, which is stacked over a third stool 100C,which is stacked over a fourth stool 100D. The seats 105 of the second,third, and fourth stools 100B, 100C, 100D are nested into the hollowinteriors of the adjacent stools 100A, 100B, 100C, respectively.

In certain examples, each stool 100 has an interior cross-dimension CD3(FIG. 11) that is sufficiently large to receive the seat 105 of anotherstool 100 of the same type. In certain examples, the interiorcross-dimension CD3 is located above the ribs 145. In certain examples,the seat 105 extends at least one-third of the way into the hollowinterior of the next stool 100 in the stack. In certain examples, theseat 105 extends at least half-way into the hollow interior of the nextstool 100 in the stack. In certain examples, the seat 105 extends atleast two-third of the way into the hollow interior of the next stool100 in the stack.

In certain implementations, the stool 100 is sufficiently symmetricalthat the stool 100 can be rotated 180° about the longitudinal axis ALcompared to other stools 100 in a stack. For example, in FIG. 10, thethird stool 100C is rotated 180° compared to the other stools 100. Incertain examples, the stool 100 is sufficiently symmetrical that thestool 100 can be rotated 90° about the longitudinal axis AL compared tothe other stools 100 in the stack. For example, portions of the supportmembers 110, 120 of a lower stool 100 can fit between the ribs 145 of anupper stool 100 to allow stacking.

In certain implementations, each stool 100 defines a hole 150 to enablestacking of the stools 100 on a pole P (see FIG. 11). In certainexamples, the hole 150 is a central hole located along the longitudinalaxis AL. The pole P extends through the central aperture 150. Stackingthe stools 100 on the pole P can aid in quickly aligning the stools 100relative to each other for easy stacking. In certain examples, thestools 100 are shaped and dimensioned so that the stools 100 can bestacked in any rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis. Forexample, the support members 110, 120 of a first stool can extend overapertures 144 of a second stool 110.

In certain implementations, the apertures 144 facilitate use of thestools 100 by inhibiting suction between stacked stools 100. As shown inFIG. 10, a lower stool 100B extends sufficiently far into an upper stool100A that the apertures 144 of the lower stool 100B at least partiallyoverlap in a longitudinal direction with the apertures 144 of the upperstool 100A. The overlapping apertures 144 inhibit the creation ofsuction between the stools 100A, 100B. In some examples, the upper andlower stools 100A, 100B are oriented so that the apertures 144 of theupper stool 100A radially align with apertures 144 of the lower stool100B. In other examples, the upper stool 100A is rotated about 90° aboutthe longitudinal axis AL relative to the lower stool 100B. In otherexamples, the upper stool 100A can be in any rotational orientationabout the longitudinal axis AL relative to the lower stool 100B.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a stabilizing or noise dampening materialmay be applied to the bottom surfaces 130 of the support members 110,120. For example, feet 160 may be applied to the rest surfaces 134, 136of the bottom surfaces 130. Some example feet 160 are formed from rubberor other material having a higher friction coefficient than the materialforming the support members 110, 120. Other example feet 160 are formedfrom other elastomeric material. In some examples, the feet 160 aredisposed at outer corners of the rest surfaces 134, 136 of the supportmembers 110, 120 (see FIG. 12). In other examples, the feet 160 definean entirety of the rest surfaces 134, 136.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example foot 160 suitable for use with the stool100. The foot 160 includes a body 161 defining an inner channel 162sized and shaped to receive an edge of one of the support members 110,120. The foot body 161 also defines an exterior surface 163 oriented toselectively contact the floor F depending on the position of the stool100 relative to the floor F. For example, the feet 160 mounted at thefirst rest surfaces 134 contact the floor F when the stool 100 isdisposed in the first inclined position and the feet 160 mounted at thesecond rest surfaces 136 contact the floor F when the stool 100 isdisposed in the second inclined position.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stool having a longitudinal axis extending between a top and bottom of the stool, the stool comprising: a seat member; a first support member extending downwardly from the seat member to the bottom of the stool; a second support member extending downwardly from the seat member to the bottom of the stool, the second support member being disposed at an opposite end of the seat member from the first support member; and each support member having a downwardly-facing surface defining a convexly-curved rocking surface, a first rest surface extending outwardly from a first side of the rocking surface, and a second rest surface extending outwardly from an opposite second side of the rocking surface, each rocking surface defining no more than half of a length of the respective bottom surface.
 2. The stool of claim 1, wherein the seat member has a first cross-dimension; and wherein the first and second support members define an open bottom that has a second cross-dimension that is larger than the first cross-dimension.
 3. The stool of claim 1, wherein a rib extends laterally between the first and second support members, the rib cooperating with the seat member and the support members to define an aperture.
 4. The stool of claim 3, wherein the rib is a first rib; and wherein a second rib extends laterally between the first and second support members at an opposite side of the stool from the first rib.
 5. The stool of claim 1, wherein an aperture is defined beneath the seat member and between the first and second support members, the aperture being sized to enable fingers of the user to wrap around the seat member to grasp the stool.
 6. The stool of claim 1, wherein each rest surface connects to the rocking surface at an obtuse angle.
 7. The stool of claim 1, wherein each support member extends radially outwardly from the seat as the support member extends downwardly to the bottom.
 8. The stool of claim 7, wherein each support member has an outwardly-facing surface and an inwardly-facing surface, wherein the outwardly-facing surface has a concave curvature extending between the top and the bottom.
 9. The stool of claim 7, wherein the support members have a thickness; and wherein each support member extends radially outwardly from the seat member by a distance that is greater than the thickness of the support members.
 10. The stool of claim 1, wherein the seat member defines a central aperture extending between a top of the seat member and a bottom of the seat member.
 11. The stool of claim 1, wherein the stool is a first stool; and wherein a second stool is stacked over the first stool.
 12. The stool of claim 11, wherein the second stool is identical to the first stool.
 13. A active seating system comprising: a plurality of stools, each stool extending along a longitudinal axis between a closed top and an open bottom, the closed top of each stool having a first cross-dimension and the open bottom of each stool having a second cross-dimension that is larger than the first cross-dimension, each stool having a sufficiently hollow interior accessible through the open bottom to allow a first of the stools to be stacked over a second of the stools so that the top of the second stool extends into the hollow interior of the first stool through the bottom of the first stool, each of the stools defining a rocking surface at the respective open bottom, the stools being sufficiently symmetrical that the first stool can be rotated 90 degrees along the longitudinal axis compared to the second stool when stacked over the second stool.
 14. The active seating system of claim 13, further comprising a pole at which the stools are stacked, the pole extending through a central longitudinal aperture defined in each stool.
 15. The active seating system of claim 13, wherein each stool includes a rest surface configured to cooperate with the rocking surface to hold the stool at an inclined position.
 16. The active seating system of claim 15, wherein the inclined position is a first inclined position, and wherein each stool includes a second rest surface configured to cooperate with the rocking surface to hold the stool at a second inclined position that is angled in an opposite direction from the first inclined position.
 17. The active seating system of claim 13, wherein the rocking surface is a first rocking surface defined by a first support member; wherein a second support member defines a second rocking surface, the first and second support members defining the open bottom of the stool.
 18. The active seating system of claim 17, wherein each stool defines apertures between the support members to inhibit suction between the stools while the stools are being pulled apart.
 19. A method of sitting on a seat comprising: sitting on a seat member of a stool that is supported off a floor by support members; balancing on rocking surfaces defined by the support members; swaying in a first direction until a first rest surface of each support member contacts the floor while the rocking surface also contacts the floor, wherein the first rest surface inhibits continued movement of the rocking surface in the first direction; and swaying in an opposite second direction until a second rest surface of each support member contacts the floor while the rocking surface also contacts the floor, wherein the second rest surface inhibits continued movement of the rocking surface in the second direction, the rocking surface of each support member defining no more than half of a length of a respective bottom surface of the support member.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the stool is first stool, and wherein the method further comprises: removing the first stool from a stack of stools of the same type by lifting the first stool off of a seat member of a second of the stools in the stack so that the seat member of the second stool is no longer within a hollow interior of the first stool. 